October 17, 2009

A new style of teaching Arabic. It uses mnemonics to help the students remember the alphabets. While it’s different than the traditional way of teaching Arabic letters, it’s a noteworthy alternative especially for older students and new Muslims learning Arabic alphabets. You can buy the DVD from the link of their page.

Goal: Emphasize that Ramadan is almost over but not over yet. Encourage students to continue the efforts after Ramadan. Very cheerful Eid image.

Methodology:

– Show that Ramadan is almost over
– Ramadan is not over yet (1 or 2 more nights)… could be lailat al qadr
– Life after Ramadan: life is like Ramadan
– Eid is coming (concept of Eid for Muslims) and etiquettes of Eid. Cheerful Eid image.

Expected results:

– Each student knows that Ramadan is not over yet
– Each student misses Ramadan appropriately
– Each student contemplates life after Ramadan
– Each student knows how to behave for Eid. Be very cheerful and happy for eid.
– Ramadan vs. life

Class planning:

Style: Write the number 2 on the board with no comment

2 minutes Introduction and check up on students + attendance

5 minutes: last week’s revision, check on students (how they are doing, thoughts, etc) and homework wrap up (distribute new papers)

Goal: Develop and awaken awareness and appreciation for the last 10 nights of Ramadan (and lailat al qadr)

Methodology:

– Introduction to the benefits of the last 10 nights with proof
– How those benefits relate and affect you?
– Simple actions to do that can help you get those benefits
– What not to do.

Expected results:

– Each student would know that the last 10 nights have arrived (including lailat al qadr)
– Each student knows that those nights are special
– Each student tries to do simple actions in those nights
– Awaken sense of responsibility for the Muslims
– Feel that Ramadan is leaving

Since Sunday school has started at our Islamic center and in an effort to improve my teaching and preparation skills, I decided to type and post my Islamic Studies lesson plans to help me prepare and evaluate myself more objectively. To give the reader some feedback, my students are aged between 12-15 years of both genders and different backgrounds.